Nigerians who wrote an exam at a computer-based test (CBT) centre in Ibadan, are now being investigated by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) following speculation of their result being “fraudulent or not correct”.
The NMC said Pearson VUE which runs the computer-based Test of Competence (ToC) to assess the skills and knowledge of people applying to join its register from overseas, recently raised the alarm of “anomalous data” at one of its third-party CBT centres in Ibadan.
The statement added that while 1,970 candidates took their CBT at this centre, only 512 are on the NMC register. Candidates who participated in the exam at the centre have been asked to retake the test.
The statement read;
“A total of 512 people on our register (around five percent of all the professionals on our register who qualified in Nigeria) took their CBT at this test centre.
“We’re writing to them to set out what’s happened and to tell them we’re opening cases to determine whether or not they gained fraudulent or incorrect entry to the register.
“More people have applied to join the register but are not yet on it, therefore they can’t practise as a nurse or midwife. We’ve paused their applications.
“We’re writing to these applicants to ask them to retake the test, and to request more information that we’ll use to make a final decision about their applications.
“Pearson VUE has reviewed all data relating to the NMC’s CBT from every test site globally, and there is no evidence of similar activity at any other site.
“Our paramount concern is to maintain the integrity of the register to protect the public. At the same time, it’s critical we approach any investigations about individuals objectively and transparently, avoiding any unfair discrimination.”